We had the good fortune of connecting with Tia Naayem and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career because I’ve always felt a deep urge to create. My mind is constantly filled with vivid, intricate images, and I’ve always sought a way to bring them to life. Photography was my first outlet, but after years of feeling limited by the world around me, I turned to drawing as the best way to express my surreal visions. Growing up in Beirut, Lebanon, I was often told to choose a ‘serious’ path, like engineering or medicine, for a secure future. But eventually, my need to create outweighed everything else, and I chose happiness through art.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art lets me escape from my thoughts and everyday life, creating things I never imagined and sharing them with the world.

My style is bold but detailed, and after years of learning how skin interacts with contrast, my tattoos heal almost like a vector on skin.

I spent years working a 9-5 while tattooing from 7 to midnight, hoping to eventually do it full-time. It was a tough journey, but with support from those around me and believing it was worth it, I pushed through.

I want people to know that creating meaningful art and turning it into a career is possible—you just have to keep going!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Success is never a solo journey. Having a strong support system of friends and family has been the foundation of my entire career. My family always encouraged me to give my best, and my brother constantly pushed me to keep learning and trying new things. My partner’s kindness and reassurance gave me the confidence to start my journey as a tattoo artist. And my friends supported me from the very beginning, standing by me even when I doubted myself. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of the people around me.

Website: https://Www.delicatesquash.com

Instagram: @delicatesquash

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